Apple expanded its developer programme to Pakistan on Tuesday, the latest sign that global technology companies are paying closer attention to South Asian markets.
The service will initially be available in Islamabad, Faisalabad and Islamabad, with a nationwide launch planned for later in 2028.
Universities are responding too. LUMS has added new courses in mobile payments, and enrolment in computer science programmes rose 18% this year.
The view from investors
Analysts at Bazaar Technologies estimate that the addressable market could be worth $30 million by 2030, driven by a young population and rising smartphone ownership.
"We are not chasing valuations any more. We are chasing profitability, and that is a healthier place to be."
Saad Rehman, chief financial officer at NayaPay
Employees will be offered training through a partnership with IBA Karachi, the company said, with a focus on cloud engineering, data analysis and product management.
Why it matters
Not everyone is convinced. Critics point to a shortage of skilled engineers, unreliable power supply and a tax regime that changes almost every budget cycle as reasons for caution.
Key points
- Competitors including Arbisoft are expected to respond within months
- Roughly 300 jobs expected over the next two years
- Rollout begins in Lahore and Quetta before expanding nationwide
- New features will support Urdu alongside English
For consumers, the immediate impact is likely to be modest. Prices are expected to stay flat until at least May, and the new features will roll out gradually across the country.
Industry observers say the timing is significant. Pakistan's mobile payments sector grew 12% last year, according to the Higher Education Commission, even as venture funding across South Asia slowed sharply.
Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.
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